The FCC agreed to consider measures designed...

The FCC agreed to consider measures designed to curb abuses in a broadcast license renewal process that allows “extortion and sham applications” by license challengers seeking profitable settlements. The license-challenge process is aimed at bringing to the commission legitimate issues related to a station owner’s qualifications. But commissioners said they were concerned that some challengers may have no interest in running a station and may file competing applications or petition the agency to deny an incumbent’s license only so they can profit from a financial settlement.